The Phoenix Suns have parted ways with general manager Lance Blanks less than three years after his hiring and with one year left on his contract.

"Lance has been a trusted friend and colleague," Suns President Lon Babby said in a news release announcing the break. "I thank him personally and professionally for his hard work on behalf of the Suns. We will continue to prepare for the offseason even as we look for his replacement."

Blanks, 46, was charged with making the Suns' personnel decisions, but Babby remained in control of the front-office operation and handled contract and trade negotiations. Blanks made missteps, most famously pushing to trade Goran Dragic and a first-round pick for Aaron Brooks and choosing Michael Beasley to be last summer's main free-agent target. The jury also remains out on his first-round draft picks, Markieff Morris and Kendall Marshall.

Blanks worked in the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers front offices before coming to Phoenix in August 2010.

The Suns went 25-57, last in the Western Conference, last season and hold an 11.9% chance at landing the top pick in the June draft. He was a key advocate for interim coach Lindsey Hunter, who replaced Alvin Gentry midseason.